And I really can't speak highly enough about the WTS experience. Our mission suffered quite a few setbacks- 24 hours in our instructor Pat became very ill, and we had to significantly modify our route plan for the possibility of heading back to drive him to a hospital. Thankfully he recuperated well, and we pressed on into that beautiful backcountry. Not pictured is the frozen pink vomit just outside my tent 48 hours later, sigil of my bout with the same illness. Nothing like a fever with rigors, teeth chattering in all of your layers while sleeping on snow. Ryan and Pat really made the experience the best it could be, despite high odds against it. It helped that we had a great crew of students, all of whom were able to be flexible and accommodate 2/5 of us with sudden incapacity derailing our plans. Bottom line: if we could go through all that and still have an amazing trip, the bar was set pretty high. WTS goes highly recommended!

Thanks Emily! I think much of our success on that trip can be attributed to the high level of compassion and the universally positive attitude of the students. When the data looks sour its attitude that sugars the lemons.

And for a last post trip recommendation… don't play with RyanC's toddlers 24 hours before a wilderness trek unless you've been previously exposed. Right Pat?